Common pests
Due in part to Bonaire's warm climate and tropical conditions, various pests can affect plant health. The most common pests are:
Whitefly
Whiteflies are a common pest. These flies are common in warm and humid climates. They feed on plant sap, primarily on the undersides of leaves. They cause yellowing of leaves and can also spread viruses.
During the feeding process, adult whiteflies also lay eggs on the plants, thus beginning the reproductive cycle. The larvae, known as nymphs, quickly develop into adults, causing the whitefly population to increase rapidly.
Control can be achieved by using natural enemies and/or pesticides. Hygiene and plant management are essential to prevent this pest: regular inspection and removal of infected leaves helps.
Pesticides we use against whitefly: Garden & Farm and Dormant spray.
Spider mites
These tiny insects suck the sap from leaves, leading to discolored, wilted leaves. Spider mites themselves are difficult to spot—they're often only recognizable by the damage they cause, as they're not immediately apparent. They usually lurk in the corners of plants, for example, between the veins or between the stem and the leaf. As the infestation grows, you'll also see small webs with white dots in these areas.
You can combat spider mites by following these steps:
Rinse your plant thoroughly. Pay particular attention to the underside of the leaves and along the veins of the infected plant, as spider mites are often present there. If possible, quarantine the plant for four weeks (the spider mite's life cycle is four weeks). This prevents the mites from spreading.
Use a (biological) pesticide or make your own spray mix, for example, 1 liter of cold water, 20 ml of green soap, and 10 ml of methylated spirits. Regularly spray the base, trunk, stems, and the tops and bottoms of the leaves thoroughly. It's important to keep this up and spray preferably in the evening.
We have products available against spider mites: Garden & Farm and Malathion.
Aphids
Aphids are small insects that feed on plant sap. This releases saliva from the aphids into the plant, which contains viruses. They can also cause stunted growth and leave behind sticky substances (honeydew) that promote fungal growth. Aphids are primarily found at the points where the plant grows (i.e., where new leaves emerge, near shoots, flower buds, the tips of new stems, and leaf axils).
Aphids dislike the strong scent of plants like savory, lavender, or certain herbs. It's recommended to plant these in your home or garden.
Control can be achieved by using pesticides or by making your own spray (1 litre of water, 20 ml of methylated spirits and 20 ml of green soap), but rinsing the plant several times with cold water is also an option.
Pesticides we have against aphids: Garden & Farm and Malathion.
Rode spin
The red spider mite is a mite that primarily occurs in dry, hot conditions. They cause spots and yellowing on leaves and can quickly damage a plant if left untreated. They are able to absorb nutrients contained in the leaf tissue.
While it's often initially thought that the damage the mite causes to the plant is minimal, they normally live in colonies of hundreds or even thousands. They reproduce rapidly; females can lay 100 eggs in about 25 days. Therefore, populations should be reduced as quickly as possible to prevent them from causing too much damage to the plant. The eggs are distinctive because they are spherical, smooth, and very shiny. Initially white, they darken as they mature.
Control can be achieved by using pesticides, but you can also use soapy water to kill the eggs laid (thus attacking reproduction).
Pesticides we have against the red spider: Garden & Farm, Malathion and Marathon.
Mold/mildew
White mold, also known as powdery mildew, is a fungal disease that affects various plants and vegetation. This white, fluffy fungus can cover the leaves and stems of both indoor and outdoor plants. If left untreated, white mold can quickly spread to other plants. Powdery mildew can hinder photosynthesis in plants, causing them to gradually weaken and eventually wither.
High humidity and low airflow are the main causes of white mold.
Treatment can be achieved by mixing neem oil (4 teaspoons to 1), mouthwash (1:3), or vinegar (8 tablespoons to 1) with 1 liter of water and applying it to the affected areas. A herbicide can also be used.
Pesticides we have against powdery mildew (also for blight and leaf spot): Liquid systemic fungicide.
Cicadas
Cicadas are small, slender insects (2 to 3 mm long), which are usually green or brown in colour - but they can also be brightly coloured depending on the species.
Cicadas can be found on both the underside and the upper side of leaves. They feed on plant sap and can cause damage by wilting leaves and spreading diseases. Certain species of cicada can transmit viruses, as can certain aphids. Or they can inject toxins into the plant through their saliva, causing leaves to become bumpy or shoots to bend. Cicadas can also deform flowers.
When disturbed, cicadas jump up. They can also fly, but they don't travel long distances.
You've probably noticed a spittlebug in your plants at some point. These are the nymphs of the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius, which surround themselves with the foam and are therefore called spittlebugs.
Cicada pests can be controlled with pesticides, but this is usually not necessary.
We offer the following pesticides against cicadas: Garden & Farm, Malathion, and Marathon.
Wolluis
The mealybug is a small insect (3 to 6 mm in size) that appears coated with a white powdery layer (due to the white, woolly secretion female mealybugs produce). They often live on the green or woody parts of the plant. If you see small, woolly dots or balls on your plant, it's likely infested with mealybugs. These woolly dots often contain oval eggs.
Mealybugs aren't harmful to humans, but over time they can significantly weaken your plant. Mealybugs suck on plant parts, causing them to lose nutrients. Furthermore, photosynthesis becomes more difficult because the mealybugs leave behind a woolly secretion and honeydew. Over time, mold will grow on this honeydew.
Control can be achieved by using pesticides, insect spray, or neem oil, methylated spirits, vinegar, dish soap, or even just plain water.
Pesticides we have against mealybugs: Garden & Farm and Marathon.
Trips
Thrips are tiny creatures, only a few millimeters long. These small insects have wings, allowing them to spread quickly from plant to plant. Because they can't fly very well, they don't easily spread throughout your garden or house. Nevertheless, it's wise to address thrips quickly, as they can cause significant damage to your plants.
Thrips are mainly found on the undersides of leaves and in flower buds. They suck nutrients from the leaves, causing brown spots.
Thrips leave behind droppings that look like tiny black dots. In a thrips infestation, you may also see small white dots moving across the leaves. These are the thrips larvae.
Control can be achieved by thoroughly rinsing your plant and treating it with water and green soap (so that all thrips and larvae are gone), but we also have good pesticides in the store.
We have the following pesticides available against thrips: Garden & Farm, Malathion, and Marathon.
Leaf miner
Leaf miners are various insect species whose larvae eat the mesophyll of leaves. The galleries can be white, yellowish, or even brown, and the patterns vary in shape, from a single spot to a complex network of tunnels. Because of their resemblance to mineral mining, the galleries are called mines, giving the leaf miner its name. Leaf miners include several species, including flies, butterflies, beetles, and sawflies.
Leaf miners vary in the plant species they attack and the pattern of the tunnels they dig (linear, circular, or irregular). Plants with fleshier leaves are generally more susceptible to leaf miner attack than plants with thinner leaves. A mild infestation will not cause significant damage to the plant. A more serious infestation requires intervention.
The pesticides we have are: Garden & Farm and Marathon.